Town of Poughkeepsie leaders have approved a new K-9 officer and a four-legged partner for the police force, but not everyone is happy with the department.

Supervisor Patricia Myers and Councilman George Finn Jr., D-3rd Ward, voted against the new K-9 officer agreement Wednesday night at town hall. The two Democrats said they could not support the agreement until they get answers on how a canine training building was erected on town property, apparently with law enforcement's blessing, without necessary approvals or permits.

Myers said the building, worth about $50,000, went up sometime in 2005 off DeGarmo Road on town property that police and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office use for canine training. She estimated the failure to comply with town codes could have resulted in fines of more than $1.4 million if any other applicant had proceeded with the project without approvals.

The town board in 2002 approved the site's use as a canine training area. But Myers said the approval came with an understanding that no building would be added.

Despite numerous inquiries, Myers said she has never received answers on who built the structure, who may have donated needed materials and how it went up without town approvals or permits.

Myers said that sends an incorrect message to residents that a double standard exists when it comes to navigating the town's approval process.

"The law should apply to everyone,'' Myers said. "The town codes need to apply evenly across the board.''

The town's deputy building inspector informed law enforcement officials in February about various requirements needed for the building to comply with local codes, but Myers said the department has not responded.

In a March 2006 memo to department leaders and K-9 officers, Chief Peter Wilkinson ordered all work on the training building to cease, and that "any new work ... will only be continued upon written approval'' from the supervisor and town board.

Officials said the unfinished structure has sat unused for the past year.

Police Capt. Thomas Mauro referred a question on who constructed the building to Wilkinson, who was out of town and unavailable for comment.

But Mauro said the department will "do everything possible to attempt to resolve questions that may have arisen concerning this project. ... We continue to hold the opinion that residents of the Town of Poughkeepsie are well served by our department having two canine officers to support our day-to-day operations."

The K-9 issue became political after the Police Benevolent Association placed an advertisement in the Journal last week praising the five GOP town board members "who have proven that they support public safety.''

Myers and Finn's names were absent from the ad. Click here for PBA Ad

The supervisor, up for re-election this year, said the ads would not change her position on the K-9 program and concerns over the unauthorized building.

"The PBA can put all the ads in the paper they want,'' Myers said of the apparent political jab from the union, which traditionally endorses candidates for public office prior to Election Day.

Town PBA President William Tighe did not return a call seeking comment.

Republican board members voted for an officer and dog to join the K-9 unit, which is down to one dog and officer from its usual two, following retirements.

Republicans said the lack of proper approvals for the training building and the need for K-9 officers are separate issues.

"Public safety should not be compromised because the supervisor seems to have some issues'' with the department, said Councilman Stephan Krakower, R-5th Ward.

He took Myers to task for failing to resolve the building situation over the past year.

"What have you done?'' Krakower asked Myers, adding he did not see the need for what he labeled her "public attack'' on police.

Councilman Dominic Seminara, R-2nd Ward, said the canine unit provides a valuable service to residents, from tracking suspects and aiding in arrests to searching for lost children.

"A lot of citizens feel that's very important,'' Seminara said in supporting the unit.